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Local theatres have an important part to play (excuse the pun) in our communities – they promote creativity, provide a platform for self-expression and, most importantly, bring us together.

This winter, droves of local people and tourists will be heading to Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone for some much-needed festive fun. The theatre, located on Earl Street, offers a diverse range of entertainment spanning music, comedy, drama, dance, singing, film and more. If the Christmas pantomime isn’t on your radar yet, it should be!

This year, Hazlitt Theatre’s intergenerational panto production is a take on a classic fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty. Families, friends and individual patrons of all ages are welcome to experience the magic and excitement of this traditional performance, which is taking place between 26th November and 31st December.

The much-loved Sleeping Beauty story will be transformed into a fun-filled family panto – full of songs, dances and even a spectacular dragon. Cursed by a jealous wicked fairy on her 16th birthday, the beautiful Princess Aurora falls into a deep sleep that can only be ended with a kiss from her true love. Prince Phillip needs all the help he can get from the good fairies to aid him to escape the evil clutches of Carabosse, wake Princess Aurora and live happily ever after. Will “true love” win the day? You’ll have to watch the show to find out!

Inclusivity and diversity are firmly on Hazlitt Theatre’s agenda. Following feedback relating to the additional needs of the community,two relaxed performances are being offered – one for schools on Tuesday 6th December at 11.00am and one for families and older people with additional needs on Thursday 15th December at 6.30pm.

The relaxed performances are open to all with autism, learning disabilities or other sensory and communication needs who would benefit from a more relaxed environment.

The 2022 panto will be raising funds for local charity Dandelion Time, which provides early support to children who have suffered from traumatic experiences such as domestic abuse and neglect.

This year, Hazlitt Theatre’s community dancers, made up of a wide variety of young people from the Kent community, returned. It is so popular that 200 applications came in over the summer and the team had to whittle them down to just 60.

The past few years have been tough, but now that the world is starting to get back to normal, the theatre will continue to lift the spirits of the community through its shows and arts provision with the Hazlitt Institute, giving Maidstone the fairy tale ending to the year it deserves with Sleeping Beauty!

To find out more and book your ticket for the Sleeping Beauty pantomime, click here.